Category: 120 Guardian Angels

It is still dark as my alarm goes off. As you get out of bed and get into shower to start a new day. I am a morning person, and like morning a lot more than night. I feel fresh and new. I feel like I am born again every morning. The brightness in the morning pushes darkness and brings a new and shinny light. We do not have to worry about failing, because there will be a new start again tomorrow. We do not have to wait until end of the year and wait for the new year to start for a new journey. Birnbaum describes sunrise as rebirth of the earth, sublime beauty, fresh, and crisp. He says that morning is “a daily gift- few unwrap and a cosmic good-morning smile.”

There are things that I keep in mind every morning to start a new day. I try to have a positive attitude all day, be grateful, and take a chance to reflect things in a different way, and develop myself every day to become a better person. These kinds of small steps will change everything. You will have more energy and potential. Utilizing each day to recommit yourself to positive attitudes, motivation, and self improvement will help you create the life you want. Birnbaum expresses morning as “a daily treasure by FedEx early morning delivery and no signature required.”

Mercy is a pleasure journey to help someone, and God wants people to have it. Mercy is the opposite of harming and hurting someone. We should practice mercy toward our neighbors, your family and friends because God shows us mercy and forgives us mercifully. Birnbaum mentions that “mercy is My constituency is the powerless. The supremely vulnerable. Often the guilty. Often those on the wrong side of history.” People sometimes forget about it, harm others and do something wrong. However, mercy is forgiveness other for doing wrong, which is one of the ways to express mercy. I think for this reason, Birnbaum mentions “often the guilty and often those on the wrong side of history.”

God has forgiven our sins by showing mercy. Therefore, we should show forgiveness to people around you. For instance, my brother and I argue quite often. Sometimes he is wrong, and sometimes I am wrong. But, we both forgive each other. One thing that I learned at church when I was young is that I should love my family, friends and neighbors. When I truly love them, mercy will follow, and then forgive your neighbors. Eventually, I will reach out to my enemies.

Another example of mercy is showing compassion. There are a lot of videos posted on social media about people showing compassion to the homeless. Especially during winter, some people give them blankets, hot drinks and foods to the homeless. People who were walking on the street probably felt pity when they saw those homeless starving and being cold at night. It is not easy for us to talk to someone who we do not know.. But they were willing to talk to those homeless people and show mercy. I do admire them.

Freedom.. When we hear it first time, especially in America, that word does not sound so relevant anymore. I believe that America is one of the most liberal countries that has become over the years in this world. I believe that my country, South Korea, is also one of the liberal countries, perhaps I would not describe S. Korea as “the most” liberal country. There are still so many people living without freedom in some countries. For example, we see a lot of horrifying news about Syria. Think about all the children who live in Syria now, and all the refugees who flee to Europe, America, and some other countries. Although they escape to another country, that does not mean that they are free. They are still in refugee camps, where basically they are detained and can not go anywhere, and the condition of those camps as I saw on the news and videos is not safe. They are hungry, starving, ill, and suffering.

Birnbaum describes that the angel’s “advance is inexorable. No despotic army of whatever size can withstand my assault.” Thanks to the angle, at least there are people, country, and nation who care about those notorious actions and try to prevent them. For instance, America and Russia tried to reduce the violence in Syria and open more access to humanitarian aid during Obama’s administration. Although it did not successfully achieve, and there is currently conflicts between America and Russia, I believe that there will be a blight news hopefully soon.

Birnbaum illustrates that “freedom is a precious gift, which further unleashes mankind other potentials. More valuable than the rarest germ.” Freedom is an opportunity to seek, act, and achieve their pursuits and happiness without being restricted. It is important, because it will enhance one’s interest, hope, and eventually potential. Freedom can be complex, especially for the new generation. For example, I was born during the era when the war ended and things had changed and developed. Since I was born, I never thought about living without freedom. I think that freedom can be fully respected by those who actually experience the protracted war. However, we young generation should understand how hard our grand-grandparents, grandparents, our parents put a lot of effort to make the country emancipated.

There is no such a thing as complete, total freedom. Birnbaum states that “Interlined with man’s AUTONOMY. Interesting, as we are always at-risk for the Tyranny of the Majority. And are always at-risk for demagoguery. Yet, by-and-large, matters seem to work out.” Although we see terrifying news about Syria, there are terrorism acts in America, and nuclear threatening from North Korea, we should not give up seeking freedom. We should always look for it, and although we have it now, we should always appreciate it.

Everyone has a unique gift and talent. No matter what kind of gift and talent individual has, we should never ignore anyone for any reason. For example, even 1 year old who does not know anything yet, and who is just being protected by his or her parents, 1 year old baby is the fact that can make his/her parents’ life tremendously happy. Birnbaum mentions that “each one unique, as every good school child knows, each one symmetric, each one adding to the harmony of there universe.” Everyone is important in this universe, and although sometimes it seems like they do not do anything, they actually mean something to the world. We are just not paying attention to their gift and talent.

Also, Everyone have dreams for their future, and no matter how far away from their dreams and how close to their dreams, we should never give up what we really want to achieve. If we really really want something, I believe that we can get it. Look at the musicians who play all day on the subway platforms. Although their living situation is not that great and do not make a lot of income yet, they do not give up their dreams, and they keep moving and playing. Thanks to the musicians, we get to listen to wonderful music on the way home after such a long day at work.

Birnbaum says that “My favorite one was one snowflake in quadrant 9708
about a million years before the last Tyrannosaurus rex. But the art department up here
tells me again and again not to play favorites.” We should not judge anyone of us’s gift and talent, but respect them. Sex, race, religion, age , and other subjects should not matter. Everyone is “adding to the harmony of the universe.” We should just pay more attention to each one of us. Birnbaum says that “diversity and beauty are important cosmic potentialities.”

I have a crew of 7 artists up here approving each and
every one;
and logging-in each design for future reference; make
sure we never ever duplicate. Else they will trade me in.

My favorite one was one snowflake in quadrant 9708
about a million years before the last Tyrannosaurus rex.
The particular snowflake just had “something about it”.
It was truly sublime. But the art department up here
tells me again and again not to play favorites.

A definition of gratitude is being thankful, appreciating your blessings, and realizing austere pleasures in your life. Gratitude helps you to improve what you lack of and change discontent you have in your life. Sometimes people tend to forget how grateful their lives are. If something bad happens, they may think that it’s the end of the world. However, if we think that failure as an opportunity to start and try again, and learn from what your mistakes , then I believe that it will improve your health and relieve your stress. Negatives thoughts give you stress and is not good for you mentally and physically. Birnbaum on page 56 explains giving gratitude to the people that you love and care about will galvanize yourself and the people around you into a lively life.

Try to notice and appreciate what you already have. I sometimes say to myself that I am very thankful that I can walk, I can see, and I can hear. These little things that actually people take for granted will make you happy depending on the way of how you think about them. You should practice how to be grateful. It may sound absurd to think about practicing the gratitude exercise, but I believe that it will help those who never really thought about small happiness in their lives. You should begin looking for joy in the small things; such as getting a free donut and coffee at work from your colleague at work, and waking up early in the morning so that you could take some time to read a book and newspaper before going to school or work.

We should remember that when things don’t go the way you expect or the way you want, try to take benefit from it, and try to be better next time.

You may struggle with loneliness. During your lonely time, you may go to church, hang out with your friends, do some activities such as hiking, biking, jogging, and etc. But, you still just feel discouraged and lazy.. you still may feel lonely and wonder how you could trust there is God when you are that emotional. You may think that if there is God, why you would need to suffer.. Can God make you (everyone) not lonely at all..?

I think that loneliness is part of acknowledging who you are. Loneliness is not a bad thing. It actually shows that you are really a mankind that God created. Plus, although you think that you are alone and feel lonely, there is actually God next to you all the time .

“I am the Guardian Angle of the Lonely.
I try to give them some gentle comfort
Metaphorically, I try to hold their hand
I feel their terrible pain
With no one to share it with
Unable to connect well
with their brother and sister creations”

He describes that God tries to hold your hand and feel you pain. God is always with you. I think that it all depends on how we think about things. We can be positive or negative. For example, having a lot of friends does not mean that your life is full of happiness. You may not notice that there is God next to you, and you may still feel lonely, because you may not have a real connection with your friends. It is important for you to try to make some connections and find things in common with your friends. And remember you are not lonely.

Birnbaum illustrates on his God’s 120 Guardian Angles, “Rich or poor – ALPNOE is so tough. Alone. So alone. Almost as lonely as God.. Almost, but not quite as lonely as the original, primal, dark, empty void.”

It shows that loneliness has not discrimination. It can happen to anyone. Rich or poor, kind or bad person, and elderly or young people.

Birnbaum describes that God is lonely, and no matter how rich or how poor you are, everyone is alone and being alone is such a difficult time. When you feel lonely, you tend to look for God. And he has always been right beside you. Birnbaum mentions that “I try to hold their hand, I feel their terrible pain.” Even if you don’t feel lonely, he is with you all the time. You are never actually fully alone.

When I first came to the States from Korea, I did not know any English, did not have any family or friends. During that time, I was lonely, so I tried to go somewhere to be active and make some friends. I went to church and recognized God’s presence. I think that loneliness is actually a good time to become better acquainted with God. I realized that as long as I believe in God, he is always with me. It is great that I can find him anywhere and anytime. He is available 24/7.

I like how Birnbaum gives realistic examples; life, relationships, fulfillment.
Every day, we see injustice, unfairness, loneliness, and sadness. You may find that you get paid less at work than someone else in the same position. You may lose your promotion to someone else who is less smarter than you. You may not be able graduate from college, and so on. However, I think that we should take an advantage of these lonely time to meet God.

I am the Guardian Angel of the Lonely
I try to give them some gentle comfort
Metaphorically, I try to hold their hand
I feel their terrible pain
With no one to share it with
Unable to connect well
with their brother and sister creations

Alone on the raft of life… as they navigate life’s
treacherous currents, and drift through its calms
One can be alone in the middle of a crowd
And some find themselves alone even in a marriage

Rich or poor – ALONE is so tough

Alone. So alone.
Almost as lonely as God..

Almost, but not quite as lonely as the original, primal,
dark, empty void
The void
Aching
Which reached out into eternity… through Creation…
through the portal of LIFE…
for RELATIONSHIPS…
and for FULFILLMENT

for abuse wreaks very serious damage
그러나 잘못사용되면, 큰 부상일 것이다
the road to recovery must be navigated very carefully
회복되로면 조심스럽게 다뤄져야 한다
and very diligently
매우 부지런히

the protagonist must have an indomitable will
주인공은 불구의 의지를 가져야만 한다

then, we have a fighting chance
그리고 우리는 싸움의 기회를 가진다
then I can practice my profession
그러면 나의 직업을 연습할수 있다
then I can help with the timing of the moves
그러면 나는 움직임의 시간을 도울수 있다
then, it is a race against time
그러면 이것은 시간을 거스른 경기이다

and a lifetime is more-often-than-not insufficient time
그리고 삶의 시간은 매우 충분한 시간이다

often they see what mortal men cannot;
그들은 종종 언젠가는 죽는 사람이 할수 없는것을 본다;

they carry 2-ton weights on their shoulders,
그들은 2톤의 무게를 그들의 어깨로 든다

they are my charge
그들은 나의 충전
where they go, I go
그들이 가는곳마다, 나는 간다
tucked into their core
그들의 증심에 껴서

I’m along for the journey
나는 여행에 참가한다
along for the duration
기간에 참가한다
god is embarrassed to look them in the eye
그들을 똑바로 보기가 창피 한다
the cosmos has let them down
우주는 그들을 남겨두었다
deprived them of their rightful due
그들의 권력을 ㄱ빼앗다
made them suffer for all humanity’s shortcomings
그들이 인간의 결점에 대해 고통을 겪게 했다

I am their internal healer
나는 내부적인 치유자이다
the work is not easy
일은 쉽지 않다
fixing shattered glass would be an easier task
산산조각이난 유리를 고치는것이 좀더 쉬운 일일것이다
for, the glass has not been betrayed
그러나 그 유리는 배반되지 않을 것이다